Battle of the Badges
June 5, 2009
As you may be aware I started my new job this week. I’m easing in part time this month and starting my full time adventure after the 4th of the July holiday.
So far the work has been AWESOME! There’s always a ramp up time where you need to get familiar with the projects and development teams and I’m thankful I can do that now to hit the ground running come July.
One of my tasks this week was to get all the admin stuff out of the way. My keys, email account, calendar access, parking pass, and the ultimate new job-ness, the ID badge.
Funny thing is I’ve been wearing my old ID from my prior position around my neck as it was attached to my key ring. Yes, I’m one of THOSE people who must wear keys and badges as a necklace or I’ll continuously lock myself out of my office. I joked with my new boss that I’m like the tic tac guy from Seinfeld, you’ll always know when I’m coming. He didn’t believe until he heard the jingle himself.
Anyway, I came home and showed the husband the new and old ID and he’s said I MUST put this on the web site. I can’t believe it. He’s FINALLY getting the whole blogging thing. ;~P About time!
Well here they are. This is not a before and after "look-how-much-weight-I-lost" comparison. It’s more of a "holy-crap-look-how-different-I-am" pause as I reflect on how much older I am.

The badge on the left was taken in 2002, the one on the right yesterday, 2009. That’s seven years, about 35lbs (guessing at my weight in ‘02), 1 child, a hair growing out stage and much MUCH growing up in between. Funny thing is… left pretty much represents my 20s and the right my 30s.
While writing this up the toddler asked if both pictures were me. I tried to explain to him the one of the left was taken before he was born. He then pointed to the one on the right and said "I like that one better."
"Why?" I asked.
"Because it looks like you."
I think we have a winner. :)
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content rss
On June 5th, 2009 at 9:52 am Robin said:
Both are beautiful, but the one on the right is my ‘friend.’ Have a super Friday!
On June 5th, 2009 at 10:03 am Amanda said:
I like the one on the right the best too. :)
Aren’t you usually the vacation queen in the summer time? How’s that going to go with the new job? I think I am I giving away how long I’ve been reading your blog…it’s been a long time!!!
On June 5th, 2009 at 10:17 am Diana (Soap & Chocolate) said:
Wow, what a difference! That’s awesome that you’re liking your new job – and now you have a very pretty ID badge to go with it!
On June 5th, 2009 at 10:20 am Mara @ What's For Dinner? said:
Wow, Roni… I’m impressed!!! You have quite a great ID picture too :)
On June 5th, 2009 at 10:34 am Caylyn said:
Wow Roni, you look absolutely beautiful in your new pic!
On June 5th, 2009 at 11:06 am Michelle said:
You are so beautiful Roni!
On June 5th, 2009 at 11:32 am Courtney said:
I’m literally teary eyed at what Ryan said. It so defines what you have been through. I keep telling myself that I DON”T want my kids to think this is what I look like. I’m really very moved right now. Thank you for sharing, Roni.
On June 5th, 2009 at 1:06 pm shannon said:
i like this. i have an old ymca ID that i have short hair just like yours (except with grown out ’side burns’, don’t ask) and black hair. must’ve been going through a phase? my hair is much longer now, my natural color and it’s probably about 7 years old now as well. hold onto that. it’s fun to look back at it later.
On June 5th, 2009 at 1:32 pm Deb said:
Where are you working?
On June 5th, 2009 at 1:34 pm Ericka said:
You are so beautiful. :-)
On June 5th, 2009 at 2:08 pm Elaine said:
You’ve gotten a ton of comments already saying how beautiful you are. You really are…so very classic looking….the bone structure of your face is amazing!
On June 5th, 2009 at 2:14 pm roni said:
You guys are too sweet. :)
On June 5th, 2009 at 2:30 pm Tiger G said:
I had to get my license renewed and I was pregnant and 60+ over my regular weight. I wish I looked half as great as you did. You really radiate with self-confidence in the second picture.
On June 5th, 2009 at 2:51 pm Krista S. said:
I love what Ryan said.
On June 5th, 2009 at 3:31 pm Kelly said:
Wow, you should cut your hair short again. You have such the face for it. Amazing how much more “angled” your face is on the right. Beautiful!
On June 5th, 2009 at 4:00 pm Dana said:
I like both pictures.
I knew you blogged about going back to work at a university…so did you go back to the same university you taught at?
On June 5th, 2009 at 5:58 pm Danielle said:
I love your blog and think the your little guy is right on, that’s you. Thanks so much for all the time and effort you put into your blog. And congrats on the new job! :)
On June 5th, 2009 at 6:01 pm Mel said:
WOW, what a difference, but I agree with the toddler that the one on the right is way better. You look beautiful! Have a great weekend.
On June 5th, 2009 at 7:07 pm Christie said:
All I can think about is how much you look like Ryan in the picture on the left! Too cute.
I agree though that ID badges are so telling. Mine is not my favorite picture since it was taken 2 1/2 years ago. People constantly ask me, “Is that YOU?”
On June 5th, 2009 at 7:40 pm Renée said:
Wow!!! The one on the right just looks so HEALTHY! and can I just say that you have fabulous skin? Even with the ID camera, which we all know by law must take weirdly washed out pictures, you just glow!
On June 6th, 2009 at 7:37 am roni said:
Amanda – I AM! One of the reasons I’m working a few days this month is to make up for the vacations I already had scheduled in July! :) And it HAS been a long time! lol
On June 6th, 2009 at 7:38 am roni said:
Dana – I didn’t. I used to work as a faculty at my local Community College. Now I’m a staff member at a University.
On June 6th, 2009 at 7:39 am roni said:
Renee – That’s not my skin! That’s the mineral makeup! lol Don’t leave home without it!
On June 6th, 2009 at 9:17 am Charlie Hills said:
Just wanted to chime in with yet another ‘good luck’ on the whole job thing. :)
Although I must admit I was terribly disappointed when I got to the end of the post and discovered the badges weren’t actually battling. That would have been cool.
On June 6th, 2009 at 9:24 am Evilwoman said:
How beautiful! I agree with Elaine, your bone structure is amazing!
I also love your make-up! I need to get me some of that mineral makeup!
Have a great weekend
On June 6th, 2009 at 3:18 pm Rachel said:
I can’t believe you look that beautiful in your ID badge! I thought no one ever took good pictures for those, and you look stunning! Really touching post :)
On June 6th, 2009 at 5:04 pm Lori said:
I’ve been reading your blog for a couple of years, and I love it! You are truly a beautiful person and an inspiration. By the way, you look just like the actress who plays Sharon on The Young and the Restless (or maybe she looks like you). : ) Yes, I watch Y&R – it’s my only guilty pleasure! But, at least I work out while I’m watching it!! Thanks for sharing yourself!
On June 7th, 2009 at 9:29 pm Debbie (Green Apple A Day) said:
I love how you say that one badge represents your 20s and the other badge your 30s. I love looking back at pictures. They tell such a great story!
On June 10th, 2009 at 3:50 pm Michele Dochat said:
“IT LOOKS LIKE YOU” I’d have cried…but hey, I’m about the sappiest gal you’ll ever meet! I love that picture too!
So you are back to work?..I know, read the posts. What can I say…life has a funny way of getting “in the way”…you’re looking great Roni!